Omni-directional imaging sensor

Abstract

A method comprises generating a laser signal; scanning the laser signal into a field of view; and processing the return signal.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 generating a continuous wave laser signal; 
 frequency encoding the laser signal with the angle of transmission; 
 scanning the frequency encoded laser signal into a field of view; 
 sensing a return signal; and 
 imaging the sensed return signal, the image representing the content of the field of view without blind zones. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sensing the return signal includes sensing the return signal on a single detector. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein scanning the laser signal into the field of view includes scanning the laser signal through electro-optical modulation of the laser signal. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein frequency encoding the laser signal includes frequency encoding the laser signal as it is scanned into the field of view. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein frequency encoding the laser signal includes acousto-optically modulating the laser signal. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein frequency encoding the laser signal includes acousto-optically modulating the laser signal. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim wherein frequency encoding the laser signal with the angle of transmission includes frequency encoding the laser signal with the angle of transmission in azimuth. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein processing the return signal includes coherently processing a laser signal. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein processing the return signal includes non-coherently processing a laser signal. 
     
     
       10. A laser apparatus, comprising:
 a transmitter, including:
 a continuous wave laser; 
 means for scanning a laser signal generated by the laser into a field or view 
 means for encoding the scanned laser signal with the angle of transmission at which it is scanned; and 
 
 a receiver, including:
 a single detector from which a reflection of the scanned laser signal can be imaged with no blind zones. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The laser apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the scanning means and the encoding means comprise an acousto-optical modulator. 
     
     
       12. The laser apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a beam splitter for splitting the laser signal prior to being scanned into the field of view. 
     
     
       13. The laser apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of electronics for processing the detected reflection. 
     
     
       14. The laser apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising means for scanning the laser signal into the field of view in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the acousto-optical modulator scans the laser signal. 
     
     
       15. The laser apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the orthogonal direction scanning means comprises a galvo-mirror. 
     
     
       16. A method, comprising:
 transmitting a laser signal linear frequency modulated over azimuth and frequency encoded with the angle of transmission; 
 sensing a return signal; and 
 processing the sensed return signal to image the field of view based upon the angle of transmission and the linear frequency modulation of the transmitted laser signal. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein transmitting the laser signal includes frequency encoding the laser signal as it is scanned into the field of view. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein sensing the return signal includes sensing the return signal on a single detector. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the sensed signal includes coherent processing of the sensed signal. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the sensed signal includes coherent processing of the sensed signal.